Chest drainage unit adjustable hanger and method

ABSTRACT

An attachment system for a medical device, wherein the attachment system is compatible with a wide variety of structures, at least in the sense that it may be used to hang the medical device in a level position. Also, a method for attaching a medical device to a wide variety of structures that allows for the medical device to be hung in a level position. The attachment system and method are often used in conjunction with a chest drainage unit as the medical device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to attachment components, systems, and methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to such components, systems, and methods used in conjunction with medical devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In hospitals and other health care facilities, it is often desirable to position a medical device in close proximity to a patient being monitored by the device. As such, some medical devices have hangers or hooks attached to their exterior housings or casings. Other medical devices have hangers or hooks built directly into their exterior housings or casings. These hangers or hooks are then used to hang the medical device from a horizontal bed rail on the side of the hospital bed that the patient is resting in.

Currently available hooks and hangers are rigid components that are typically made from hard plastic or metallic components. As such, the hooks and hangers are only compatible with certain hospital beds and/or bed rails. The compatibility of such hooks and hangers with hospital beds and/or bed rails is further limited because currently available hooks and hangers are fixed relative to the exterior housings or casing of the medical devices to which they are attached or built into. In other words, the hooks and hangers cannot be drawn together or spread further apart.

In view of the above, when a medical device is hung from a bed rail by a hook or hanger that is incompatible with the rail, the medical device will be in a tilted position. In other words, the medical device will not be “level” with respect to either the floor or the bed rail. Since some medical devices only function properly when in a substantially “level” (i.e., vertical) position, such incompatible hooks or hangers render the device inoperable.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide components and/or systems that are compatible with a wide variety of structures (e.g., hospital beds and bed rails) so as to allow for medical devices hung therefrom to remain level. In addition, it would also be desirable to provide methods for attaching a medical device to a variety of structures, all the while keeping the attached medical device level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention wherein, in a first embodiment thereof, an attachment system is provided. The attachment system according to this first embodiment includes an engaging mechanism configured to engage a structure exterior to the attachment system. The attachment system according to this first embodiment also includes an adjustable connection mechanism connected to the engaging mechanism at a proximate portion thereof and to a medical device at a distal portion thereof.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, a method of attaching a medical device to a structure is provided. The method according to this second embodiment includes the step of adjusting a length of an adjustable connection mechanism connected to a medical device at a distal portion thereof. The method according to this second embodiment also includes the step of engaging a structure with an engaging mechanism connected to a proximate portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.

In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, another attachment system is provided. The attachment system according to this third embodiment includes means for adjusting a length of an adjustable connection mechanism connected to a medical device at a distal portion thereof. The attachment system according to this third embodiment also includes means for engaging a structure with an engaging mechanism connected to a proximate portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an attachment system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the attachment system is connected to a medical device.

FIG. 1A illustrates that a hook on the right side of the medical device illustrated in FIG. 1 may be pulled away from a hook on the left side of the medical device.

FIG. 2 illustrates the medical device illustrated in FIG. 1 hanging, via the attachment system also illustrated in FIG. 1, from a cylindrical structure that is exterior to the attachment system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the medical device 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2 without the connection mechanism 26 attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates an attachment system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the attachment system 10 is connected (i.e., attached) to a medical device 12.

In FIG. 1, the medical device 12 is a chest drainage unit that, for example, may be used to evacuate air and/or fluid from a patient's chest cavity. Such evacuation helps to re-establish normal intrathoracic pressure in the patient's chest cavity and also facilitates the re-expansion of the patient's lungs to restore normal breathing dynamics. However, upon practicing the present invention, one of skill in the art will appreciate that, according to other embodiments of the present invention, the chest drainage unit illustrated in FIG. 1 may be replaced with another medical or non-medical device.

The attachment system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an engaging mechanism 14 that itself includes a pair of engaging portions. With reference to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the pair of engaging portions takes the form of a hook 18, 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the medical device 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be hung, via the hooks 18, 20 of the engaging mechanism 14, from a cylindrical structure 16 that is exterior to the attachment system 10 (i.e., which is not part of the attachment system 10). In other words, the engaging portions of the engaging mechanism 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are configured to engage a structure 16 that is exterior to the attachment system 10 at two different locations.

Although the engagement mechanism 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is implemented through the use of two arcuate hooks 18, 20 that partially surround the cylindrical structure 16 at two locations, other components that make up part of the engaging mechanism 14 are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, engaging mechanisms according to certain embodiments of the present invention may include clips, loops, non-arcuate hooks, etc. Also, a single hook or more than two hooks may be included in the engaging mechanism 14.

The attachment system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 also includes two straps 22, 24 that, together in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated, form an adjustable connection mechanism 26. Each of the straps 22,24 is connected to one of the hooks 18, 20 of the engaging mechanism 14 at a proximate end thereof and to the medical device 12 at a distal end thereof. However, it is also within the scope of certain embodiments of the present invention to position the hooks 18, 20 and/or the medical device 12 at positions along the straps 22, 24 other than the ends. Also, in embodiments of the present invention where the engaging mechanism 14 includes fewer or more than two hooks, one or more straps are typically attached to each hook to form at least part of the connection mechanism 26.

The engaging mechanism 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is typically relatively rigid, as compared to the connection mechanism 26. For example, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, the hooks 18, 20 included in the engaging mechanism 14 are made either partially or entirely from one or more hard plastic and/or metallic components. In contrast, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, the adjustable connection mechanism 26 includes one or more flexible straps, cables, strings, webbings, and/or other flexible materials.

FIG. 1 illustrates that, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, the hooks 18, 20 (i.e., the engaging portions) are configured to engage with one another (or at least to be placed in close proximity to one another) to form a handle with which the medical device 12 may be picked up and/or carried.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the hooks 18, 20 is positioned such that an upper portion thereof protrudes above the top surface 28 of the medical device 12. When the hooks 18, 20 abut each other in the manner shown in FIG. 1 (or are in close proximity to each other), the inner perimeters of their respective arcuate portions together define the outer perimeter of an opening through which a nurse, medical technician, or other individual may insert a portion of his or her hand. Once the portion of the hand is inserted through the opening, the medical device 12 may be picked up in a manner analogous to picking up a suitcase or briefcase with a handle.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, when positioned as illustrated in FIG. 1 to form a handle, each of the hooks 18, 20 is removably attached to the lower platform 30 of the medical device 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the hook 18 on the right side of the medical device 12 may be pulled away from the hook 20 on the left side of the medical device 12. Also, in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1A, a portion of each of the hooks 18, 20 may be slid into or out of a track 40 that is positioned on the lower platform 30 of the medical device 12. However, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art upon practicing one or more embodiments of the present invention that the track 40 may be positioned at locations other than the lower platform 30. It will also be appreciated that a mechanism other than the track 40 may be used to removably attach the hooks 18, 20 to the medical device 12. For the purpose of clarity, FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the medical device 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2 without the connection mechanism 26 attached thereto.

When positioned as illustrated in FIG. 1, the hooks 18, 20 remain fixed relative to the medical device 12 when the hooks 18, 20 are pulled in an upward (i.e., vertical) direction. Therefore, the medical device 12 may be picked up and carried in a manner analogous to carrying a briefcase or suitcase. However, when the hooks 18, 20 are pulled in a horizontal direction, the hooks 18, 20 slide out of the track 40 and may be attached, for example, to the structure 16 illustrated in FIG. 2.

In order to prevent undesired horizontal motion of the hooks 18, 20 out of the track 40, some embodiments of the present invention include one or more locking mechanisms that fix the hooks 18, 20 at one location relative to the track 40 until the locking mechanism is released. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention include tabs along the track 40 that engage apertures in the hooks 18, 20 and that thereby prevent the hooks 18, 20 from moving relative to the track 40 until the tabs are disengaged.

As mentioned above, components other than the track 40 maybe used to connect the hooks 18, 20 to the medical device 12. More generally, a variety of components and/or systems may be used to removably attach or connect engaging portion(s) according to the present invention to a variety of locations on or adjacent to the medical device 12. Even more generally, any manner of removably attaching an engaging portion to a medical device that becomes apparent to one of skill in the art upon practicing one or more embodiments of the present invention may be used. For example, each of the hooks 18, 20 in FIG. 1 may have one or more protrusions extending therefrom and each of these protrusions may be configured to be engaged with a receiving portion in a region of the casing/housing of a medical device.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the above-discussed adjustable connection mechanism 26 is removably connected to the medical device. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2, each end of each of the straps 22, 24 that is connected to the medical device 12 passes through one of the side protrusions 32, 34 of the medical device 12 and forms a loop around the protrusion 32, 34. In the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2, each end of each loop formed around the protrusions 32, 34 begins and ends at one of a fastening mechanisms 36, 38 (e.g., a buckle) and is held thereby.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the region between the protrusions 32, 34 and straps 22, 24 is sufficiently small that the portions of the straps 22, 24 passing through the protrusions 32, 34 are spatially fixed relative to the medical device by friction. In other words, according to these embodiments, a portion of each of the strap 22, 24 is squeezed in between the side of the medical device 12 housing and the inner face of one of the protrusions 32, 34.

According to still other embodiments of the present invention, clips (not illustrated) or some other fastening mechanisms (e.g., glue, stitching) are used to close off the loops created at the ends of the straps 22, 24. When clips are used, the clips may be opened, thereby allowing the straps 22, 24 to be removed from the protrusions 32, 34 and to be replaced by new straps. These new straps may then be re-clipped to again secure a loop around each of the protrusions 32, 34.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1, 1A, and 2 as part of the adjustable connection mechanism 26 are two fastening mechanisms 36, 38 that are each configured to shorten the adjustable connection mechanism 26. As illustrated in FIG. 2, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, a double layer of each strap 22, 24 extends between the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 and the medical device 12. A single layer of each strap 22, 24 also extends from each one of the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 to one of the hooks 18, 20. In view of the above, in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2, in order to shorten the overall length of the adjustable connection mechanism 26, the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 may be moved relative to the medical device 12, thereby changing the proportion of each of the straps 22, 24 that forms a loop (i.e., that is “doubled-up”) between the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 and the medical device 12.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 takes the form of a buckle. However, other fastening mechanisms are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, clips may be used to adjust how much of each of the straps 22, 24 is included in the loops between the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 and the medical device. Also, according to other embodiments of the present invention, the straps 22, 24 may form loops between the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 and the hooks 18, 20.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of attaching a medical device (e.g., the medical device 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3) to a structure (e.g., a bed rail) is provided. This method typically includes adjusting a length of an adjustable connection mechanism (e.g., connection mechanism 26) connected to the medical device at a distal portion thereof and engaging the structure with an engaging mechanism (e.g., engaging mechanism 14) connected to a proximate portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned engaging step includes engaging a portion of the structure with a curved portion of the engaging mechanism. When implementing this step, one of the arcuate hooks 18, 20 may, for example, be placed about a portion of the side of a bed rail. The engaging step may also be implemented, for example, using an engaging mechanism that is either entirely or partially made up of hooks that are rigid relative to the adjustable connection mechanism. For example, the hooks may be made from hard polymers and/or metallic materials and may be used in conjunction with an adjustable connection mechanism that includes or is made from one or more straps, webbing, cables, strings, and/or other flexible materials that may be adjusted according to the above-mentioned attaching step.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the engaging step includes engaging the structure at a first location with a first portion of the engaging mechanism and engaging the structure at a second location with a second portion of the engaging mechanism. According to some of these embodiments, the two hooks 18, 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 are engaged with the structure 16. According to other embodiments, more or less than two portions of an engaging mechanism may be used to engage more or less than two locations of a structure such as, for example, a bed rail or some other portion of a hospital bed.

The above discussed adjusting step, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, includes adjusting a first adjustable portion of the adjustable connection mechanism connected to the first engaging portion. The adjusting step may also include adjusting a second adjustable portion of the adjustable connection mechanism connected to the second engaging portion. These embodiments may be implemented, for example, using the buckles that make up the fastening mechanisms 36, 38 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, the position of each of the buckles relative to the medical device 12 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be adjusted. Even more specifically, the adjustable connection mechanism may be shortened by forming a loop in a portion of the adjustable connection mechanism and securing the loop with a fastening mechanism such as the buckle.

In addition to the above-mentioned steps, methods of attaching a medical device to a structure may include forming a handle by engaging the first portion of the engaging mechanism and the second portion of the engaging mechanism with each other. Pursuant to such a step being implemented, the hooks 18, 20 are typically in the positions illustrated in FIG. 1. However, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, the hooks 18, 20 are merely adjacent or proximate to each other without actually contacting each other.

According to still other embodiments of the present invention, the above-discussed method includes removably connecting the adjustable connection mechanism to the medical device at the distal portion of the adjustable connection mechanism. This step may be implemented, for example, by forming loops around side protrusions 32, 34 of the medical device illustrated in FIG. 1 and securing those loops with removable clips.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. An attachment system, the system comprising: an engaging mechanism configured to engage a structure exterior to the attachment system; and an adjustable connection mechanism connected to the engaging mechanism at a proximate portion thereof and to a medical device at a distal portion thereof.
 2. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the engaging mechanism comprises an arcuate portion configured to extend around a portion of the structure exterior to the attachment system.
 3. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the engaging mechanism is rigid relative to the adjustable connection mechanism.
 4. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the engaging mechanism comprises: a first engaging portion configured to engage the structure at a first location; and a second engaging portion configured to engage the structure at a second location.
 5. The attachment system of claim 4, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured to engage with one another to form a handle with which the medical device may be carried.
 6. The attachment system of claim 4, wherein the adjustable connection mechanism comprises a first adjustable portion connected to the first engaging portion and a second adjustable portion connected to the second engaging portion.
 7. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable connection mechanism is removably connected to the medical device at the distal portion thereof.
 8. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable connection mechanism comprises a flexible material.
 9. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable connection mechanism comprises a fastening mechanism configured to shorten the adjustable connection mechanism by forming a loop in a portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.
 10. The attachment system of claim 1, wherein the adjustable connection mechanism is connected to a chest drainage unit at the distal portion thereof.
 11. A method of attaching a medical device to a structure, the method comprising: adjusting a length of an adjustable connection mechanism connected to a medical device at a distal portion thereof; and engaging a structure with an engaging mechanism connected to a proximate portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the engaging step comprises engaging a portion of the structure with a curved portion of the engaging mechanism.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the engaging step is implemented with the engaging mechanism being rigid relative to the adjustable connection mechanism.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the engaging step comprises: engaging the structure at a first location with a first portion of the engaging mechanism; and engaging the structure at a second location with a second portion of the engaging mechanism.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming a handle by engaging the first portion of the engaging mechanism and the second portion of the engaging mechanism with each other.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the adjusting step comprises: adjusting a first adjustable portion of the adjustable connection mechanism connected to the first engaging portion; and adjusting a second adjustable portion of the adjustable connection mechanism connected to the second engaging portion.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: removably connecting the adjustable connection mechanism to the medical device at the distal portion of the adjustable connection mechanism.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the adjusting step is implemented using a flexible material in the adjustable connection mechanism.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein the adjusting step comprises: shortening the adjustable connection mechanism by forming a loop in a portion of the adjustable connection mechanism; and securing the loop with a fastening mechanism.
 20. An attachment system, the system comprising: means for adjusting a length of an adjustable connection mechanism connected to a medical device at a distal portion thereof; and means for engaging a structure with an engaging mechanism connected to a proximate portion of the adjustable connection mechanism. 